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Platinum Studios' The Comic Book Challenge 2008!

Official Rules

Platinum Studios' The Comic Book Challenge 2008

NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN THIS CONTEST. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.

  1. CONTEST PERIOD/ENTRY DEADLINE: The Platinum Studios 2008 Comic Book Challenge ("Contest") begins at 12:01am Pacific Time ("PT") on May 1, 2008 and ends at 11:59pm PT on June 14, 2008 ("Contest Period").
  2. ELIGIBILITY: To enter the Contest you and each writer, artist, inker, colorist and/or letterer, if any, who is a member ("Team Member") of your production team ("Production Team"), if any, must be 18 years of age or older at the time of entry. Contest is void in Puerto Rico and the province of Quebec, and where prohibited or restricted by law. Employees, officers, directors, representatives and agents of Platinum Studios, Inc. (the "Sponsor"), the judges ("Judges"), and all of their respective affiliated, parent and subsidiary companies, and their advertising and promotion agencies (the "Contest Entities"), and members of their immediate families (parents, children, siblings and spouses, regardless of where they reside) and members of their households (whether related or not) are not eligible to participate in the Contest and also cannot serve as Team Members. Eligibility will be determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion.
  3. HOW TO ENTER:
    1. First, visit www.comicbookchallenge.com (the "website") and receive details on the Contest. Be sure to carefully review the Official Rules of the Contest (including all instructions on the submission of your comic book synopsis and artwork, and the judging criterion to be used for the Contest).
    2. Then, in conjunction with your Production Team, if any, produce a synopsis of your proposed comic book idea ("Synopsis") and accompanying related artwork depicting the elements of the Synopsis ("Artwork") that complies with the requirements of the Official Rules. The Synopsis and Artwork are referred to herein collectively as the "Creative Materials". You are not required to have a Production Team to assist you in preparing the Creative Materials if you have the ability to otherwise prepare such materials yourself. However, if you do use a Production Team, you will be required to disclose the identity of each Team Member and their contact information during the entry process, and each Team Member will be required to sign a rights release as described herein in more detail. Keep in mind that only the person who completes the online entry form is an entrant in the Contest. Team Members are not entrants in the Contest. Also, be sure to carefully review the judging criteria in these Official Rules before you begin work on the Creative Materials.
    3. With respect to your Synopsis, in addition to the other requirements noted herein, you must:
      • Prepare your Synopsis so that you can cut and paste the contents into the online entry form for the Contest when you submit your entry. (You may also type in your Synopsis on the online entry form but this could be time consuming.)
      • Limit your Synopsis' length so that it will not exceed one full page (8.5” x 11”) in a font no less than 10 points in size.
      • Make sure your Synopsis is written in English.
      • Make sure the Synopsis adequately describes both the concept and theme of your proposed comic book, as well as the storyline and characters.
    4. With respect to your Artwork, in addition to the other requirements noted herein, you must:
      • Design and produce three (3) full (8.5” x 11” size) pages of comic book art illustrating your Synopsis. (There is no limit on the number of panels/scenes on each page.)
      • Prepare the Artwork in a GIF, TIF, JPG or PNG file format and have a file size of no larger than 5MB.
      • Make sure the artwork is as complete and in finished form as possible.
      • Produce the artwork in color unless black and white artwork is more appropriate for the thematic contents of your Synopsis.
    5. Once the Synopsis and Artwork are complete, to enter you must go online at www.comicbookchallenge.com, fill out the official online entry form in its entirety (including inputting your Synopsis in the space provided), attach your Artwork to the entry as instructed, and then submit your entry as instructed on the website. Prior to submitting your entry you must agree to be bound by the Official Rules by clicking on the box indicating your acceptance. If you refuse to accept the terms and conditions of the Official Rules by clicking on such box, then you will not be allowed to enter the Contest. Your entry consists of: a) the completed entry form (including the Synopsis), b) your Artwork; and c) your acceptance of the Official Rules (collectively referred to as your "Entry"). You submit your completed Entry by clicking on the "submit" button in accordance with the onscreen directions during the Contest Period. All Entries must be received via submission on the website by 11:59pm PT on June 14, 2008.
    6. At the time of entry you will be required to provide the identity and contact information for any Team Members you may have. Once again, you are not required to have Team Members assist you in preparing the Creative Materials if you have the ability to otherwise prepare such materials yourself. However, if you do use a Production Team, you will be required to disclose the identity of each Team Member and their contact information during the online entry process. Keep in mind that only the person who completes the online entry form is an entrant in the Contest. Team Members are not entrants in the Contest.
    7.  There is a limit of one entry per person per concept. Thus, one person may submit more than one Entry but the Creative Materials for each subsequent Entry must not be related in any manner to the Creative Materials in the previous Entry. Also, in the event more than one Entry is received with respect to the same Synopsis or Artwork, only the first Entry received containing such Synopsis or Artwork shall be eligible and any later Entries containing any elements related to such Creative Materials shall be disqualified. Sponsor shall determine whether multiple Entries are related in any manner in its sole discretion.
  4. SELECTION OF THE TOP FIFTY ENTRANTS: All eligible Entries received during the Contest Period will be judged and scored by a panel of qualified judges and will be scored based on the following criteria and with the following weight given to each such criterion: a) Creativity of the Synopsis (60%), and b) Creativity of the Artwork (40%). The fifty (50) contestants who receive the highest scores from the judges will be named Top 50 Entrants on or about June 30, 2008, subject to the eligibility requirements set forth herein and each contestant's compliance with the Official Rules. The decisions of the judges relating to the judging of all contestants are final. In the event less than fifty (50) eligible Entries are submitted, then all such eligible Entries submitted will be chosen as Top 50 Entrants, subject to the eligibility requirements set forth herein and each contestant's compliance with the Official Rules. In the event of a tie, the contestant with the highest score in the first judging criterion set forth above will be declared a Top 50 Entrant. In the event it is determined that any potential Top 50 Entrant is ineligible to participate in this Contest or has not complied with these Official Rules, then such potential Top 50 Entrant will be disqualified and the eligible contestant with the next highest score may be selected in his/her place. To be named a Top 50 Entrant, you must be willing and able to create a “video pitch” for the Creative Materials which must be submitted online no later than close of business on July 31, 2008, all in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph 5 of these Official Rules (the “Video Pitch”) AND must sign and return, within the deadline specified by Sponsor, such documents as are described in Paragraph 11 of these Official Rules. Each Top 50 Entrant is responsible for making the Video Pitch, at his/her own expense.
  5. SELECTION OF TEN (10) SEMI-FINALISTS:
    1. All fifty (50) Top 50 Entrants must submit a Video Pitch of their Creative Materials no later than July 31, 2008.  The Video Pitch of each such Top 50 Entrant shall be viewed by a panel of celebrity judges on or about August 7, 2008. The Video Pitch, or any portion thereof, and any comments by the judges on the Video Pitch or the Creative Materials may be posted on the judging website, or broadcast and/or used in any other context that the Sponsor may deem appropriate, in its sole discretion. Each Top 50 Entrant's Creative Materials will be judged and scored by a panel of celebrity judges and will be scored based on the following criteria and with the following weight given to each such criterion: a) Creativity of the Synopsis (60%), b) Creativity of the Artwork (40%). The ten (10) Top 50 Entrants who receive the highest scores from the judges will be named Semi-Finalists, subject to the eligibility requirements set forth herein and each contestant’s compliance with the Official Rules. The decisions of the judges relating to the judging of all Top 50 Entrants are final. In the event of a tie, the Top 50 Entrant with the highest score in the first judging criterion set forth above will be declared a Semi-Finalist. In the event it is determined that any potential Semi-Finalist is ineligible to participate in this Contest or has not complied with these Official Rules, then such potential Semi-Finalist will be disqualified and the eligible Top 50 Entrant with the next highest score may be selected in his/her place.
    2. The Video Pitch may present the Creative Materials in any manner which a contestant desires to ‘pitch’ the judges on why the contestant’s entry should be chosen; provided that the Video Pitch will be disqualified if it includes any of the following:
      • Any individual other than you, the main Entrant.
      • Any material which is not originally created by you, including (without limitation) any images or music.
      • Any material which makes reference to the copyrighted material or trademarks of third parties.
      • Any material that is defamatory or in violation of any third-party’s privacy or publicity rights or other proprietary rights.
      • Any material (including, without limitation, nudity, obscenity, violence, language, alcohol) that would cause the Video Pitch to be given a rating by the Motion Picture Association of America other than G or PG.
    3. The Video Pitch must meet the following technical specifications or it will be disqualified:
      • Video Pitch may be no longer than 3 minutes (0.03:00:00)
      • Video Pitch should be AT LEAST 640x480 pixels in size and no more than 1024 MB (1GB).
      • Video Pitch should be at least 15 frames per second, 24+ preferred.
      • Video Pitch must be in one of these formats: .AVI, .MOV, .MPG
      • The Acceptable codecs for the Video Pitch are: MPEG-4, H.264, DV-PRO, HDV-PRO.
    4. Platinum representatives will contact you and facilitate the uploading of your Video Pitch.  Online support will be available in the event of any technical difficulties for submitting your Video Pitch.
    5. If a Video Pitch is disqualified based on any violation of Paragraph 5(B) or failure to meet the specifications of Paragraph 5(C), you will be so notified and may resubmit your Video Pitch until the close of business on July 31, 2008.  If your Video Pitch is still disqualified based on the forgoing once the deadline for submission has passed, your Creative Materials will still be reviewed by the celebrity judges but your Video Pitch will not be taken into consideration in determining the Top 10 Semi Finalists and will not be available for viewing at the judging website, all of which may have a negative impact on the judging of your Creative Materials.  The decision to disqualify a Video Pitch is not subject to any appeal by the entrant and is final.
  6. SELECTION OF THREE (3) FINALISTS: The Creative Materials and eligible Video Pitch (or any portion thereof) submitted by each eligible Semi-Finalist chosen by the celebrity judges, and the videotaped responses of the celebrity judges to the Creative Materials and the Video Pitch will be posted on the internet at a website specified by Sponsor starting at 12:01am PT on August 8, 2008 and will be available for viewing until 11:59pm PT on August 22, 2008 (the "Finalist Judging Period"). During the Finalist Judging Period, visitors to the website may judge the Creative Materials of each Semi-Finalist by placing a vote for the best Creative Materials, using the following criteria and with the following weight given to each such criterion: a) Creativity of the Synopsis (60%), b) Creativity of the Artwork (40%). The Video Pitch, the celebrity judges%rsquo; videotaped responses or other material on the website (or any other website) other than the original Synopsis and original Artwork will not be judged and must not to be considered in placing a vote. There is no limit on the number of votes you can cast. The three (3) Semi-Finalists who receive the highest number of votes during the Finalist Judging Period will be named as Finalists, subject to the eligibility requirements set forth herein and that Semi-Finalist's compliance with the Official Rules. In the event of a tie, the Semi-Finalist with the highest overall score awarded by the celebrity judges will be declared a Finalist. In the event it is determined that any potential Finalist is ineligible to participate in this Contest or has not complied with these Official Rules, then such potential Finalist will be disqualified and the eligible Semi-Finalist with the next highest number of votes may be selected in his/her place. To be named a Finalist a contestant must sign and return, within the deadline specified by Sponsor, such documents as are described in Paragraph 11 of these Official Rules.
  7. SELECTION OF THE GRAND PRIZE WINNER: The Creative Materials and eligible Video Pitch submitted by each eligible Finalist chosen by voters, as well as the videotaped responses of the celebrity judges, will be posted on the internet at a website specified by Sponsor starting at 12:01am PT on August 23, 2008 and will be available for viewing until 11:59pm PT on September 5, 2008 (the "Grand Prize Judging Period"). During the Grand Prize Judging Period, visitors to the website may judge the Creative Materials of each Finalist by placing a vote for the best Creative Materials, using the following criteria and with the following weight given to each such criterion: a) Creativity of the Synopsis (60%), b) Creativity of the Artwork (40%). The Video Pitch, the celebrity judges’ videotaped responses or other material on the website (or any other website) other than the original Synopsis and original Artwork will not be judged and must not to be considered in placing a vote. There is no limit on the number of votes you can cast. The Finalist who receives the highest number of votes during the Grand Prize Judging Period will be named the Grand Prize Winner, subject to the eligibility requirements set forth herein and that Grand Prize Winner’s compliance with the Official Rules. In the event of a tie, the Finalist with the highest overall score awarded by the celebrity judges will be declared the Grand Prize Winner. In the event it is determined that the potential Grand Prize Winner is ineligible to participate in this Contest or has not complied with these Official Rules, then such potential Grand Prize Winner will be disqualified and the eligible Finalist with the next highest number of votes may be selected in his/her place. To be named the Grand Prize Winner a contestant must sign and return, within the deadline specified by Sponsor, such documents as are described in Paragraph 11 of these Official Rules.
  8. NOTIFICATION: The potential Top 50 Entrant winners will be notified by telephone or email on or about June 30, 2008. The potential Semi-Finalist winners will be notified by telephone or email on or about August 8, 2008. The potential Finalists will be notified by telephone or email on or about August 22, 2008. The potential Grand Prize Winner will be notified by telephone or email on about September 5, 2008. If a potential Top 50 Entrant winner cannot be personally contacted within two (2) days from the first notification attempt, then such person may be disqualified at Sponsor's discretion. If a potential Semi-Finalist, Finalist or Grand Prize Winner cannot be personally contacted within twenty-four (24) hours from the first notification attempt, then such person may be disqualified at Sponsor's discretion.
  9. PRIZES: One (1) Grand Prize: Provided that the Grand Prize Winner enters into the Creative Materials Agreements described in Paragraph 11 below and is otherwise in compliance with the provisions of these Official Rules, Sponsor will, subject to the terms of such agreements and the provisions of these Official Rules, publish a comic book or graphic novel based on the Creative Materials submitted by the Grand Prize Winner (the "Comic Book"). Such Comic Book will be released at a major convention in 2008 as well as on an Internet website of Sponsor's choosing. Such Comic Book will also be advertised on major comic book web sites of Sponsor's choosing. The Grand Prize Winner also will receive fees for writing and art services in developing the Comic Book in accordance with the provisions of the Creative Materials Agreements. No transfer, substitution or cash equivalent for prizes is allowed except at Sponsor's sole discretion. Sponsor reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value if a prize or any prize element cannot be awarded as described for any reason. All federal, state or other tax liabilities (including income taxes) arising from the award of any prize in this Contest will be the sole responsibility of the prize winner. If a potential winner is not a "U.S. person" (as defined by U.S. tax law) and Sponsor is required to withhold U.S. federal withholding tax from the prize (and pay such amount directly to the United States Internal Revenue Service), then such potential winner will be required to pay to the Sponsor the amount of the legally required withholding before he/she can receive the applicable prize. Failure to pay such amount within the deadline established by the Sponsor will result in the disqualification of the potential winner. Notwithstanding such payments, each winner shall be solely responsible for the payment of any taxes due as a result of winning his/her prize. If a prize or prize notification is returned as undeliverable, such potential prize winner may be subject to disqualification.
  10. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:
    1. (i) Each entrant agrees, warrants and represents that the Creative Materials  submitted in this Contest are the original work of only the entrant and/or any Team Members disclosed in the official online entry form, as applicable; and (ii) Each entrant agrees, warrants and represents that the Video Pitch submitted in this Contest contains only material which is the original work of the entrant and/or is already in the public domain.
    2. Each entrant agrees, warrants and represents that i) all persons having any rights whatsoever with respect to any of the Creative Materials submitted herein have been disclosed in the online entry form, ii) all persons having any rights whatsoever with respect to any of the Creative Materials have authorized the submission of such Creative Materials by the entrant in this Contest subject to the Official Rules of this Contest, iii) all persons described or appearing in the Creative Materials have authorized their inclusion in such Creative Materials and agree to be bound by the Official Rules of this Contest, and iv) the use of the Creative Materials and the Video Pitch in the manner contemplated by this Contest will not violate the rights of the entrant or any other person or company.
    3. Your Creative Materials and Video Pitch must be in keeping with Sponsor's positive image and not be inappropriate or offensive, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion. Any Creative Materials containing obscenity, crude language, or descriptions of an excessively violent or sexual nature (as defined solely by the Sponsor) will not be accepted and the associated Entry will be disqualified.
    4. Entries must not have been previously published, in whole or in part, or have won any award in any competition. Previous posting of the Creative Materials on the Internet will not result in disqualification.
    5. Entries must not include reference to products, copyrighted language or artwork, or trademarks or logos.
    6. Only complete Entries will be accepted. If an Entry is incomplete or does not comply with the specifications and rules described herein, then the Entry may be disqualified at Sponsor's sole discretion. Sponsor may also disqualify any entrant who provides false or misleading information in connection with the Contest. Neither Sponsor nor the Contest Administrator will verify or acknowledge receipt of Entries. You should retain a copy of all Creative Materials submitted for the Contest.
  11. RELEASES/AGREEMENTS: Contestants in this Contest will be required to sign the following releases and agreements. Top 50 Entrants: Before a potential Top 50 Entrant winner will be deemed an official Top 50 Entrant winner, he/she will be required to a) sign and return a document containing an Affidavit of Eligibility and a Rights/Publicity/Liability Release ("Top 50 Entrant Release"), and b) sign and return a Comic Book Publishing and Acquisition Agreement and a Work-For-Hire Agreement (collectively, the "Creative Materials Agreements"), and c) have each Team Member, if any, sign a Rights Release ("Team Member Release") and return such releases along with the other documents described above. Signed copies of all of these documents must be returned to Sponsor by the deadline date specified by Sponsor at the time the documents are sent to each potential Top 50 Entrant. Such signed documents may be emailed as a PDF file or mailed or delivered to Sponsor at an address to be specified by Sponsor at the time the documents are sent to each potential Top 50 Entrant. If all signed copies of such documents are not returned by the deadline date, then such potential Top 50 Entrant will be disqualified. Please note that the Creative Materials Agreements require that you transfer all rights in the Creative Materials to Sponsor. However, the Creative Materials Agreements will only be legally binding if you are selected as the Grand Prize Winner. If you are not selected as the Grand Prize Winner, then the Creative Materials Agreements will be void and will be destroyed, and you will retain all rights that you may have to the Creative Materials. Although each contestant must be 18 years of age or older to enter this Contest, if a contestant is deemed a minor in his/her state or jurisdiction of residence, then the parent/legal guardian of such minor must sign any documents required herein on behalf of such minor.
  12. USE/OWNERSHIP: With respect to the use and ownership of all Creative Materials and Entries and the Video Pitch, each contestant acknowledges and agrees as follows:
    1. All Entries submitted (including all Creative Materials and Video Pitch) will not be returned.
    2. The rights of each entrant, Team Member and the Sponsor shall be established by the terms of these Official Rules and by the contents of the Top 50 Entrant Releases, Team Member Releases and Creative Materials Agreements entered into as required by these Official Rules.
    3. Except to the extent prohibited by United States law, by participating in the Contest, contestant agrees that: i) Sponsor and its designees may use, copy, publish, videotape and publicly display all elements of his/her Entry and his/her Video Pitch, if applicable (including but not limited to all Creative Materials and the contestant's name, address [city and state], biographical information, statements, voice, photograph and other likeness), in whole or in part, in any and all media either now or hereafter known, in perpetuity throughout the universe, solely in connection with advertising, promoting and conducting this Contest, without notification and without compensation of any kind to contestant or any third party. The Sponsor reserves all rights, including without limitation, the right to reproduce, alter, amend, edit, publish, modify, crop and use each Entry (including the Creative Materials associated with such Entry and the Video Pitch, if applicable) in connection with advertising, promoting and conducting this Contest.
    4. Sponsor does not undertake to consider the Creative Materials in confidence and Sponsor has not made any prior inducements, promises or representations to the contestant regarding the Creative Materials other than as set forth in the Official Rules of this Contest.
    5. Except as provided by the Official Rules, Sponsor shall not be under any obligation whatsoever if Sponsor does not desire to use the Creative Materials or the Video Pitch, if applicable.
    6. Participation by the contestant in this Contest, and the accompanying submission of the contestant's Creative Materials to Sponsor, shall in no way limit or restrict Sponsor's rights with respect to, or the use of, creative materials submitted by other persons or entities, or otherwise developed, created or used by Sponsor, both prior to and after the submission of the contestant's Creative Materials herein, and Sponsor shall have no obligations to the contestant with respect to such other creative materials. Accordingly, the contestant acknowledges that Sponsor's use of other material containing elements similar to or identical with those contained in the contestant's Creative Materials shall not entitle the contestant to any compensation if Sponsor has an independent right to use such other materials.
    7. Sponsor is not agreeing to refrain from, or to compensate the contestant for, the use of any elements of the Creative Materials that are not protected by copyright laws, including, by way of illustration only, ideas, historical or factual matters, or other public domain elements or aspects of the Creative Materials. The foregoing shall apply whether or not Sponsor has obtained such ideas and/or other public domain elements from other sources.
  13. CONTEST CONDITIONS: If a contestant is found to be ineligible, or does not comply with the Official Rules, then such contestant will be disqualified. This Contest is subject solely to the applicable federal, state and local laws of the United States. By participating, contestants agree that only the laws of the United States shall be applicable to this Contest and their participation in this Contest. By participating, each contestant agrees: (i) to be bound by these Official Rules and any other documents required by Sponsor (including, without limitation, the Top 50 Entrant Releases, Team Member Releases and Creative Materials Agreements referenced in Paragraph 11 above) and by the decisions of the Sponsor, the Contest Administrator and the Judges, and to waive any right to claim ambiguity in this Contest, the Official Rules or any other documents required by Sponsor (including, without limitation, the Top 50 Entrant Releases, Team Member Releases and Creative Materials Agreements referenced in Paragraph 11 above), (ii) to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Contest Entities, and their respective officers, directors, employees, shareholders, representatives and agents (collectively, the "Released Parties") from any and all liability, claims, losses, damages, demands, causes of action, penalties and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or related to any statement, action or failure to act by entrant during or in connection with entrant's participation in the Contest, and/or any breach or alleged breach of these Official Rules or of any other documents required by Sponsor (including, without limitation, the Top 50 Entrant Releases, Team Member Releases and Creative Materials Agreements referenced in Paragraph 11 above), or related to the Creative Materials or any Entrant Statements, including any use thereof and, (iii) not to sue and to irrevocably and unconditionally release, waive and forever discharge the Released Parties from any and all liabilities, claims and demands of any kind or nature whatsoever, in law or equity, whether known or unknown, which entrant (or entrant's successors-in-interest, heirs and/or agents) ever had, now have, or in the future may have against the Released Parties, including, but not limited to claims arising out of or related to personal injury (including death) and/or damage, theft, loss or any other harm resulting in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from participation in the Contest or any Contest-related activity, the acceptance, possession, misuse or use of a prize and/or the use of any of the rights granted herein (including, without limitation, the use and exploitation of the Creative Materials, any Entrant Statements and entrant's name, essay, address [city and state], biographical information, statements, voice, photograph and/or other likeness).
  14. LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY: Contest Entities are not responsible for illegible, garbled, corrupted, damaged, lost, late, misdirected, undeliverable or incomplete Entries, whether due to system errors, human errors or failures, or faulty transmissions or other telecommunications or other types of malfunctions or interferences, and/or for online entries not received resulting from any hardware or software failures of any kind, lost or unavailable network connections, or failed, incomplete or garbled computer or telephone transmissions, typographical or system or human errors and failures, or faulty transmissions, or as a result of any other error or problem of any kind relating to or in connection with this Contest, whether technical, mechanical, typographical, printing, human or otherwise, including, without limitation, errors or problems which may occur in connection with the administration of the Contest, the collection and processing of the Entries and/or the judging of the Contest, the announcement of a prize or in any Contest-related materials. Sponsor may prohibit an entrant from participating in the Contest or winning a prize if, in its sole discretion, it determines that said entrant is attempting to undermine the legitimate operation of the Contest by cheating, hacking, deception, or other unfair playing practices, or intending to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other entrants or Sponsor's representatives. In connection herewith, any use of robotic, automatic, script, bot, macro programmed or similar voting methods will disqualify all votes using such methods. If for any reason any portion of this Contest is not capable of running as planned, including, but not limited to, infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud or any other causes beyond the reasonable control of Sponsor which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of the Contest, then Sponsor reserves the right at its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Contest and select the potential winner from those eligible Entries received up to the cancellation/suspension date. CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT BY AN ENTRANT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY CONTEST-RELATED WEBSITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE CONTEST MAY BE IN VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK REMEDIES AND DAMAGES (INCLUDING ATTORNEY'S FEES) FROM ANY SUCH ENTRANT TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW, INCLUDING CRIMINAL PROSECUTION.
  15. MISCELLANEOUS: The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of these Official Rules, or of any other release or agreement required herein, shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other remaining provisions. In the event that any provision is determined to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable or illegal, these Official Rules (and the release or agreement, as applicable) shall otherwise remain in effect and shall be construed in accordance with their terms as if the invalid or illegal provision were not contained herein. These Official Rules and any other documents required by Sponsor (including, without limitation, the Top 50 Entrant Releases, Team Member Releases and Creative Materials Agreements referenced in Paragraph 11 above) constitute the entire understanding and agreement between each contestant and Sponsor. No other agreement, written or oral, express or implied exists between each contestant and Sponsor with respect to the Creative Materials. Any modification, waiver or termination of the provisions of these Official Rules or such documents must be in writing and be signed by both contestant and Sponsor. Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to change, add to, delete from, modify or amend these Official Rules at any time. To view the most up-to-date version of the Official Rules, please visit the entry website.
  16. USE OF PERSONAL INFORMATION / PRIVACY POLICY: By entering the Contest, each entrant agrees that all entry and other personally identifiable information collected in connection with the Contest may be used by Sponsor for the purpose of conducting the Contest. In addition, unless an online entrant specifically "opts out", then Sponsor shall also have the right to use all entry and other personally identifiable information collected in connection with the Contest for subsequent marketing and promotional efforts. Individuals may subsequently "opt out" of receiving such marketing and promotional communications by using the "opt-out" mechanism contained in email messages from Sponsor. All other terms set forth in the "Terms of Use" and the "Privacy Policy" found on the www.comicbookchallenge.com web site shall apply to this Contest and to the submission of all Entries, including all Creative Materials and personal information which may be submitted. In the event of any inconsistency between the terms of this Paragraph 16 and the "Terms of Use" and "Privacy Policy" found on the www.comicbookchallenge.com web site, the terms of this Paragraph 16 shall govern.
  17. ARBITRATION: The contestant agrees that any dispute related to this Contest, the Official Rules of this Contest or any rights related to the Creative Materials, including but not limited to Sponsor's use of the Creative Materials or material alleged to be similar or identical to the Creative Materials, shall be submitted to and resolved by binding arbitration. In such event, the arbitrator shall be an individual experienced in the motion picture or television field and shall be mutually selected by Sponsor and the contestant or, if the parties cannot so agree, then the arbitrator shall be selected by the rules of the American Arbitration Association. In either event, the arbitrator shall be controlled by the terms of the Official Rules of this Contest and any releases and agreements signed by the contestant that are related to the Contest. Any award favorable to the contestant with respect to Sponsor's use of material alleged to be similar or identical to the Creative Materials, shall be limited to the fixing of an amount of compensation which shall not exceed the amount customarily paid by Sponsor for option/acquisition of rights to comparable literary properties and the award shall not be based on or take into account any profits or revenues that Sponsor received or might receive in connection with use of such material. Any arbitration award will provide for Sponsor and the contestant to bear their own costs of arbitration, which costs shall include each party's respective attorneys' fees. Any such arbitration shall be conducted in Los Angeles, California and shall be governed by and subject to the laws of the State of California (without regard to its conflict of laws provisions) and the rules of the American Arbitration Association.
  18. RULES/WINNER INFORMATION: You may view the Official Rules at www.comicbookchallenge.com.
  19. SPONSOR: Platinum Studios, Inc. 11400 W Olympic Blvd., 14th Floor, Los Angeles CA 90064.